John Woo got the band back together for A Better Tomorrow II. Ho (Lung Ti) is offered an early parole if he helps investigate his former mentor, Lung Si (Dean Shek). He turns it down, until he learns his brother, Kit (Leslie Cheung), a police officer is involved in the investigation. Ho doesn’t believe Si…
Tag: villains
Pursuit to Algiers (1945) – Roy William Neill
Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and Watson (Nigel Bruce) are at see in Pursuit to Algiers. Roy William Neill continues to direct and produce the entries, which they seem to be cranking out like clockwork. The duo find themselves on babysitting duty this time out, as they are asked to accompany Prince Nikolas (Leslie Vincent) home to…
Get Smart (1965) – Mr. Big, Diplomat’s Daughter, and School Days
In the 1960s, spies were everywhere! They were in novels, comics, on the big screen, and had spread to television. Created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, Get Smart debuted on 18 September, 1965 and introduced us to CONTROL’s agent 86, Maxwell Smart (Don Adams). Filled with goofy gadgets, like the shoe phone, Smart is…
On His Majesty’s Secret Service (2023) – Charlie Higson
007 returns for one more mission as Charlie Higson delivers the latest and last, as of this date, James Bond literary adventure. Set in the modern era, M informs Bond of a possible coup attempt during the coronation of King Charles. It’s 007’s job to pick up where 009 left off before he was discovered…
Avatar: The Last Airbender – Book 1: Water (2005) – The Boy in the Iceberg, The Avatar Returns, and The Southern Air Temple
With the live-action series on the horizon, it seemed like an ideal time to take a look at the original animated series, Avatar: The Last Airbender. Throughout three seasons, the story follows Aang (Zach Tyler Eisen), the Avatar, as he learns the skills he’ll need to stop the war with the aggressive Fire Nation and…
The Blackthorn Key (2015) – Kevin Sands
Simon & Schuster takes me back to 17th century London this week with The Blackthorn Key written by Kevin Sands. The first book in a young adult collection that spans six novels, the first book is a fast-paced tale filled with mystery and puzzles that delivers an engaging read. Christopher Rowe is the apprentice of…
Scratch One (1967) – Micheal Crichton
Michael Crichton’s second novel, which he wrote under his pseudonym of John Lange, is a fast-paced thriller that plays on the familiar trope of mistaken identity. This time out an American lawyer, Roger Carr, finds himself mistaken for a high-profile hitman and finds himself stuck between opposing sides in an arms deal which has its…
Swan Song (1987) – Robert McCammon
I remember seeing the original cover for this paperback in a variety of book racks when I was a teen, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. I didn’t recognize the name of Robert McCammon at the time, though since that time Boy’s Life has become one of my favourite books. I didn’t…
Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) – Jon Watts
If Homecoming was a celebration welcoming viewers back to the world of Spider-Man, Far From Home is a journey of discovery for Peter/Spider-Man (Tom Holland giving another stellar portrayal of the beloved character) as he confronts the expectations the world has for him as well as his own. So better way to find yourself than…
The Facts of Death (1998) – Raymond Benson
James Bond is back. Building off his previous short story, Blast From the Past, the novel, Zero Minus Ten, and his adaptation of Tomorrow Never Dies, author Raymond Benson thrusts 007 into another globetrotting adventure that takes him from London to Texas, and Cyprus in an attempt to stop a viral outbreak and a growing…
The Mind Reels 